Conference Day Two: Wednesday, July 22, 2009

8:00 Chairperson’s Opening Remarks

8:15 Panel Discussion: Improving Operational Performance Of Your Shared Services Center To Achieve Greater Efficiency, Effectiveness And Drive Customer Satisfaction

One of the key elements of a successful shared services organization in the ability to provide consistent and measurable customer service to ensure performance excellence. Business units require seamless service delivery as they are increasingly relying on shared services centers for business intelligence and on-going operational support. Learn to take advantage of the following tools in order to serve as a “best in class” financial services delivery organization:

• An approach to performance metrics review
• Examples of continuous improvement programs
• Feed-back loop between KPI and client’s strategic plans
• Setting up an advisory board
• Example of a program for customer engagement and satisfaction
• Customer satisfaction measurement tools

Panelists include:

Peter Mares Vice President, Integrated Finance Service Delivery Unisys Corporation

Michael Cullen Senior Vice President Marriott International

Key Shared Services Elements

Key Processes and Functions

9:15 Panel Discussion: Improving Controls, Visibility And Performance In Order-To-Cash Cycles Breakdowns in credit management, order quality assurance, inventory transaction reconciliation, collections, cash application and cash forecasting can cause revenue leakage, delayed payments, write-offs and lost business. Learn how to arm yourself against these lurking dangers through implementing the following strategies: Consistent controls and auditable processes based on common data, rules and information Management dashboard views, corporate scorecards, online reporting, exception or threshold driven alerts Panelists include: Bill Chase Director, Order to Cash Intuit Michael Elliott Director, Credit RRD

Roundtable Discussion: ERP Optimization The ability to optimize the technology underpinnings of the finance functions is critical for companies to derive maximum value from their data to drive business decisions. However, many companies could be using their ERP platforms more efficiently and effectively, whether in scope of services or functions. Learn how to: Develop a set of performance improvement objectives that can be facilitated using ERP and related technologies Identify legacy internal business processes that may be impeding the optimal performance of your ERP system Institute a streering committee of senior management (CFO office), process owners and IT team to oversee the optimization process

11:00 Shared Service Reconciliation Process: Reduce Cost, Increase Management Visibility

The account reconciliation process is one of the most critical controls ensuring the accuracy of financial reporting, yet for most firms, the process is almost entirely manual. Sound financial controls will improve operational efficiencies, reduce costs, increase financial transparency, enhance risk management capabilities and ensure strict regulatory compliance. This session applies the principals of “sustainable compliance” to optimize the reconciliation process and to ensure they meet the control objectives.

• Standardize of monthly account reconciliation strategies
• Streamline month end accounting and accruals
• Tighten standards for approval of expense spending

Margaret Kelly
Financial Solutions Consultant
Trintech & client

11:45 Maximizing Working Capital Through Effective Debt Management And Credit Management

The impact of the credit crisis on cash flow and liquidity has brought trade receivables management to the forefront of corporate finance. Learn how to best manage the largest asset on your balance sheet and make sure that it serves as the largest source of funds for your company.

• Tools to monitor and trend customers’ creditworthiness
• Collections and dispute management tools
• Key metrics to measure the success of your credit and collection services

Terri Harris
Senior Manager of Business Operations
Harris Corporation

1:30 Panel Discussion: Improving Financial Governance And Compliance In Shared Services

Successfully embedding compliance and risk management into financial processes to increase transparency, ensure data quality and streamline financial is challenging with diminishing staff, IT and investment resources. New regulatory requirements in light of the fallout from the credit crisis in the US pose additional, unknown challenges for shared services organizations.

Learn how to:

• Employ strategies and tools to streamline financial controls for account reconciliation, key accounting activities, financial analytics and spreadsheet compliance
• Implement structures to improve risk management capabilities and ensure strict regulatory compliance on tax and Sorbanes- Oxley requirements

Panelists include: David Lambert
The Charmer-Sunbelt Group

2:15 Working Groups: Recruiting, Retaining And Nurturing Talent In A Shared Services Center During Recessionary Times

As corporations change their financial services delivery strategy, the need for new skills and talents emerges. The ability to manage offshore resources, harmonize global standards and integrate a more diverse corporate team are surfacing as key talent requirements in a new service delivery paradigm. Ability to source, train and manage talent is emerging as one of shared services’ most critical factors. In this session, benchmark against the solutions your peers have already put into place in the following topic areas:

• Communication strategies
• Training programs (internal and cross functional)
• Career pathing and planning
• Compensation structures

3:45 Fraud Detection In Financial Shared Services

Client Presentation with APEX Analytix

Financial Shared Services centers’ concern over risk of fraud in the procure-to-pay process is ever more acute in the current economic climate because of the implications for the enterprise bottom line and SSO’s own financial performance. As vendors are hit by greater economic instability and deteriorating market conditions, the risk of fraud is on the rise.

Learn how to:

• Establish a framework to identify areas of potential exposure to vendor fraud
• Identify components of your vendor risk initiative
• Monitor for changes in vendor behaviour and assess deviations from norm
• Implement protocols for real-time response

4:30 Quick-Fire Session With Shared Services All Stars: 30 Ideas In 40 Minutes

Panel of experts will break down the tools and activities that have had the greatest impact on their business. The panel also brainstorms next-steps and outlines quick-wins for conference participants for next day action.

Don Rohacek Vice President Liberty Mutual Terri Harris Senior Manager of Business Operations Harris Corporation Michael Elliott Director, Credit RRD Peter Mares Vice President, Integrated Finance Service Delivery Unisys Corporation 5:15 Chairperson’s Closing Remarks And Close Of Conference [ Register Now] · [ Next: Pre-Conference Workshops: Monday, July 20, 2009 ]